Signs point to huge win for Broncos

Weak-side linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who had elevated his play in Lewis’ absence, is in danger of missing his third straight game with an ankle injury. Rush linebacker Terrell Suggs, whose season has been marred first by a torn Achilles and now by a torn biceps, is also a game-time decision.

Only four defensive players — McClain and defensive backs Cary Williams, Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard — have started all 13 games for the Ravens. That number will probably decrease by two as McClain is out today and Pollard likely won’t play because of a chest injury.

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata has missed just one game, but shoulder and knee injuries have contributed to his looking ordinary at times. Second-year defensive end Pernell McPhee, who was second on the team last year with 6.5 sacks, has just a half-sack this year, and he has played just nine games because of injuries.

The thing I'm most concerned with about caldwell is that he knows Peyton's system so well. The flipside is that Peyton's system really isn't a secret to anyone - it's how he uses it and adjusts it to fit specific situations that makes it lethal. Maybe you can know the system intimately, supply your D coordinator with all the plays and schemes, and the defense will still not know what to expect.

Posted by HarvJNep2n on 2012-12-16 10:14:04

JT I too have really liked our halftime adjustments. For probably the first half of the year, I would get frustrated in the first half when we sputtered along. Now I am of the mindset of seeing what the opponent is doing, and trying to figure out what I'd do as an adjustment in the second half. Lots of fun!

On Caldwell... from what I read, he's never been a playcaller before. I read a few things online that said he would probably just give Rice the ball more, and run more no-huddle. (a few sites intimated it would be easy.) But how many times have we heard experts say that playcalling is an art? That it's not that easy?

Let's hope that Caldwell has some rookie growing pains and we destroy the Ravens!

Posted by QDoc on 2012-12-16 09:42:55

It's always interesting with this coaching staff to see what the Broncos attempt as an initial strategy, and how they adjust at half-time. I'm also curious to see if/how the Ravens offense changes with its new coordinator.

Posted by John Tomasik on 2012-12-16 06:45:22

Gittyup, dudes and dudettes!

Posted by broncosmontana on 2012-12-16 02:13:10

Have a bunch of Ravens fans in my family, so I'm hoping to win some cash and dinner table bragging rights. Tebow Lord help me if we lose!